Ethical Dilemma Paper
No late papers are accepted!
See example of Ethical Dilemma Paper on the website.
Description
A three page, typewritten, paper in APA format, minimum of two references cited (excluding the
instructor and required texts) and additional bibliography/reference page. References must be
sources other than textbooks used in this nursing program, and at least one reference MUST be a
web site. Please include a simple cover sheet with your name in the upper right hand corner.
You must also attach the grading Rubric as the last page. Email to instructor by due date/time,
OR staple hard copy pages together in left upper corner and turn in on due date (please do not
submit it in a file, envelope, or fancy folder).
1.
Choose one of the ethical dilemmas on the website; OR you may develop your own
dilemma but you must write it up and submit it to the instructor for approval at least 2
weeks prior to the paper’s due date.
2.
Identify the ethical problem. Briefly reconstruct the scenario to reflect the salient
points of the ethical dilemma, weeding out information that does not apply to the
ethics of the situation.
3.
Identify the ethical principles involved. Define all which apply to your case. State
exactly why each principle pertains to the case. Be specific.
4.
List all possible courses of action, e.g. “turn the patient,” “call a code,” “run and
hide,” etc. Brainstorm and write down all the interventions you can dream up,
whether or not you think you would actually choose to actually do them.
5.
Describe the course of action you decide upon (your solution to the ethical dilemma).
Describe your rationale for choosing this decision and include a detailed discussion
of all aspects of the decision (many solutions will have multiple parts or may consist
of a combination of the possible solutions mentioned in the third section of the
paper). Additionally, discuss how the unique factors of your case come into play in
your decision-making process.
6.
Identify and describe cultural influences which shaped your decision (your culture if
a culture is not mentioned in the scenario).
7.
A minimum of two references (excluding the instructor and DAC nursing
program textbooks) must be cited and referenced. At least one reference must be a
web site (it is acceptable if both references are web sites). A dictionary, wikipedia,
or encyclopedia is not an acceptable reference for a scholarly paper. You may cite
references via footnotes2, or within text like this (Banson, 2012, p.4). A web site
should be cited via a footnote. Again, follow APA format.
Grading
See the Rubric for point value and required elements. Grading is not made based on your
decision; it is rather on your process of arriving at the decision and discussion of how the ethical
principles and culture apply to your case.
An “A” paper must have correct grammar, spelling, APA format, logical argument
construction, and accurately cited references.
A minimum of 5 points will be deducted for:
 Incorrect grammar, spelling, format, or reference citation.
 Paper length short of or exceeding 3 pages by 6 or more lines.